Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Johnsonville rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Johnsonville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Johnsonville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Johnsonville

Johnsonville rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Johnsonville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Johnsonville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.